What it means
The word has two uses in nursing. Professional competence means a nurse can safely do the work of their role, and keeps up that ability through learning. Legal competence is a court's judgment that an adult can understand information and make their own decisions; providers more often judge "decision-making capacity" for one decision at a time. A client who has capacity can give or refuse informed consentin-FORMD kun-SENTA person's agreement to a treatment or procedure, given freely after the risks, benefits and other choices have been explained to them.Full entry .
For the nurse
Before a client signs a consent, check that they are alert, understand the information and can explain it back. Accept only tasks you are competent to do, and ask for training when you are not.
At a glance
| Spanish | competencia |
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Easy to confuse with
competency
A specific skill or ability that a person has been shown to perform to an expected standard.
Related terms
informed consent
A person's agreement to a treatment or procedure, given freely after the risks, benefits and other choices have been explained to them.
scope of practice
The actions and duties a licensed professional is legally allowed to perform.
competency
A specific skill or ability that a person has been shown to perform to an expected standard.
licensure
The granting of a license by a government body that gives a person legal permission to practice a profession.